Last year 179 workers lost their lives in work-related accidents in B.C. That number is simply unacceptable.
No one should wake up one morning, kiss their loved ones goodbye and go to work and die. Accidents are inevitable, we know, but many of these fatal accidents could have been prevented.
According to BC Federation of Labour president Jim Sinclair, workers in B.C. and across this country continue to pay far too high a price for simply trying to earn a living - and we couldn't agree more.
We support the Federation's call on the provincial government and Worksafe B.C. to implement stronger rules and preventative measures to ensure that all workers are safe.
These recommendations include: hiring more prevention officers and a focus on more enforcement in high-risk injuries; a better public awareness campaign on workplace safety and hazards of that chosen profession; and increasing criminal prosecutions of employers who willfully ignore worker safety.
April 28 was the National Day of Mourning - a day to commemorate workers who have been injured, killed or suffered illness as a result of occupational accidents and hazards. A ceremony of remembrance and reflection was held in Dougall Park in Gibsons and in many other communities in B.C. and across Canada. As in years past, speakers were on hand in Gibsons with personal stories of loss and tragedy.
The National Day of Mourning focuses attention on these tragic statistics and reminds us that there is still work to be done in the area of workplace health and safety.
In order for that work to happen, we all have to take an active role.
We attend this ceremony every year, but it's one we wish we didn't have to. Wouldn't it be something if one year we didn't have to talk about numbers like 179? It's up to all of us to help foster safe and healthy workplaces.
If we all join the fight, maybe one year that number will be zero.
Lock it up
Why is it that almost every week, either in the submitted RCMP report or through separate press releases, the RCMP are warning the public about unlocked vehicles?
Locking your vehicle to prevent theft seems like such an easy thing to do, but this week thieves targeted 10 vehicles in a Langdale neighbourhood and made off with cash, cell phones and sunglasses.
Theft from automobiles continues to be one of the top crimes law enforcement has to deal with. It's one thing if a thief gains access to a vehicle by breaking in, but leaving your vehicle unlocked is an open invitation. Let's start using some common sense and lock up your vehicle. Is it really that hard a message to understand?
